Chapter 86

The Bear Republic is now mine, Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Gobi Desert Canopy Tent Village / Gold Mine. The place where Siberian loggers are located.

Ten thousand people flooded to the entrance of the Gobi Desert in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Such a large-scale movement was rare except during wars between Korea, China, and ancient states.

The residents of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region came out to watch the vehicles move, wondering if a war had broken out.

“What’s going on here?”

“North Korean residents are going to the Gobi Desert.”

“Why are so many people going to a place with nothing?”

“They’re going to turn it into a green zone and grow crops.”

“Are they crazy? How can they grow crops in a desert?”

“I thought it sounded a bit absurd too. But it’s a Russian company, so they must have some way to do it.”

“Indeed. What can those withered people do in the desert? They must be out of their minds.”

Others had the same thoughts.

Even for normal people, surviving in the desert is difficult.

What kind of work are they planning to do with people who look like they could collapse at any moment?

“A Russian company is doing something interesting, so I came to see, but it looks like they won’t last long.”

Amid the endless line of trucks, Nikolai welcomed the residents at the entrance of the ‘canopy tent’ village.

“Those with families can use the largest tent. Those who came alone should go to the two-person rooms.”

“Can people who know each other share a two-person room?”

“Yes. Take this ticket and go there.”

“Where is number 2,307?”

“Do you see the flag? It says 2,000. Go there.”

Even in a situation that resembled the reception of war refugees, the North Korean residents followed the guides’ instructions well.

They were used to following the instructions of the Communist Party.

“There’s nothing missing in the tent. It’s even better than our home. The floor is covered with soft mats.”

“I was worried about the heat in the desert, but I didn’t expect there to be fans.”

“That black panel generates electricity. It collects sunlight during the day and provides power at night.”

Others were also amazed at what they saw inside the tents.

“The tent is 5 meters wide and 15 meters long, right?”

“Yes. It’s written in the corner.”

“It’s definitely big. The sides are transparent, and there’s a mosquito net, so it’s not stuffy. I like it here.”

Outside, the loudspeaker continued to announce.

“Those who have finished setting up, please go to receive supplies! Bring your entire family. We need to know the sizes of your clothes and shoes. Put the clothes you wore here into the incinerator.”

A man asked a passing guide.

“Comrade, are you going to burn all the clothes?”

With a look of disbelief.

“Yes, everything must be burned. They’re so dirty they can’t be used anymore.”

“I see. When do we eat?”

“After shaving all body hair and taking a shower, and changing into new clothes, you can enter the dining hall.”

Next to the shower, in the canopy tents divided by gender, people were shaving their body hair.

“What are you doing? Quickly collect the hair and send it to the incinerator. Ugh, just looking at it makes my skin crawl.”

“Understood!”

In the shower, people followed the guides’ instructions well.

“The warm water feels good. Is that a hot tub?”

At the end, there were two large, spacious tubs, one hot and one cold.

“They said they only fill them with water in the evening and on weekends. I’ll have to soak in them later.”

Those who followed all the instructions entered the dining hall.

There were 50 dining halls, and everyone lined up with stainless steel trays from Unicorn Construction.

“Mom! This place is great. We can eat as much meat and fruit as we want.”

Families who came together brought their children, so children were seen everywhere.

“There are two soups and eight side dishes?”

“Is that a chocolate pie? I’ve seen it at the market.”

“Yes. There’s also a lunchbox ramen? That looks like the spam from the supplies?”

The residents found this place much better than North Korea.

Although it was a tent, it was large enough for the whole family, and the food was to their liking, so their fatigue disappeared.

“You need to take one vitamin supplement every day. After meals, take a deworming pill, and we’ll give you another one in 15 days.”

Since almost all products were purchased in bulk from factories, they could buy them much cheaper than the original cost.

Items that would continue to be consumed were even cheaper.

“If anyone feels unwell after eating, go to the hospital and get medicine.”

After finishing their meals, those who reacted immediately used the portable toilets.

These would be fermented after a month and used as tree fertilizer.

Nikolai, satisfied with how the site was running, checked with each section’s on-site supervisors to ensure nothing was missed.

“For the next few days, the use of toilets will increase. Make sure it’s convenient.”

“Understood.”

“Have you checked the seedlings?”

“No problem. They will arrive daily, so there won’t be any shortage.”

“Bathing is required daily. Since the used water will be purified and used to water the trees, there’s no need to conserve it.”

North Koreans, used to conserving, needed to be told this.

“Understood.”

“Is there enough stock at U-Mart?”

“Yes. We’ve been preparing for three months, so it’s sufficient.”

“How many large beam projectors have you secured?”

“We have 200, including spares.”

“Good job.”

Since they couldn’t work every day, they planned to show Korean movies and dramas in the evenings.

Chairman Kim has no grounds to object to this, so there’s no need to worry.

“Is there enough electric heating equipment for the evening?”

“It’s sufficient for 10,000 people.”

The tents were well-arranged by sections and blocks, making it easy for people to move around.

Additionally, platforms were laid outside the tents to reduce sand blowing.

The 10,000 people who arrived in the first batch were given a month to regain normal physical strength.

They would start working in the desert after a month, and for now, they would focus on simple preparations and rest as much as possible.

* * *

In a hotel in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Nikolai, who had just finished showering, turned his head at the sound of the phone.

Shasha answered the phone and handed the receiver to Nikolai.

“Who is it?”

“The Gazprom vice president.”

Nikolai, with a towel around his neck, took the call and heard the excited voice of the vice president.

- Sir, it’s a hit.

“What’s a hit?”

-The Irkutsk gas field owned by Hanbo Group. Gazprom’s exploration team discovered an enormous amount of gas there. It’s enough to last for decades.

“Oh! It’s really a hit.”

In the original history, E.A.G.C., a subsidiary of Hanbo Group, developed gas in Irkutsk, Russia.

However, due to financial difficulties, it was taken over by Gazprom, a subsidiary of Black Hole.

Gazprom’s exploration team had been investigating intensively for a few months, and now it had paid off.

-We need to send some Gazprom employees there and hire more.

“Yes. Offer a salary increase to those willing to go. I’ll come to Russia, so you handle the rest, Vice President.”

-Understood.

After hanging up, Shasha asked in surprise.

“What’s a hit that you’re so happy about?”

“A gas field was discovered in Irkutsk. It’s enough to last for decades.”

“Wow! Gazprom already produces a lot, and now another gas field? It’s like printing money. With gas, oil, and diamonds, all we need now is gold.”

“Gold?”

“...?”

“Wait!”

Nikolai suddenly remembered a newspaper article he had seen during his journalist days.

“There was a newspaper article about the largest vein in Russian history. Where was it again?”

Trying to recall, a vague memory surfaced.

“Sukhoi? Rog? No. Sukhoi...? Login? What was it...?”

It seemed to be on the tip of his tongue, but it wouldn’t come out.

Nikolai, muttering to himself, made Shasha ask with wide eyes.

“Why are you suddenly like this?”

“I can’t remember.”

“The thing you were muttering about, was it ‘Sukhoilog’?”

“Sukhoilog?”

Nikolai had only faintly remembered the familiar words ‘Sukhoi’ and ‘Login’.

“Sukhoilog, where have I heard that before?”

“Why are you so worked up? It’s near where the Siberian loggers are, right?”

“Huh?”

Sukhoilog, Russia.

This was where the Gulag, the Soviet Union’s state security agency’s labor camps, were located during the Cold War.

Political prisoners mined gold here through forced labor.

From 1929 to 1953, about 18 million people were detained here.

“Are you delirious from the heat near the desert?”

“Sukhoilog. Yes! Call Vice President Alrosa.”

After a moment, Nikolai, connected to the call, swallowed hard and asked.

“Vice President, is there a gold mine in Sukhoilog?”

-Yes. It was briefly mined during the Soviet era but is now abandoned.

“Go there... No, go to where the loggers are first. I’ll come too.”

-Is there something important?

“It’s important, so go as soon as possible.”

-Understood. I’ll leave tomorrow.

After hanging up, Nikolai hugged Shasha.

“Why are you being so creepy? I’m scared of Yeva.”

“Thanks to you, we’re going to make a fortune again. No matter how much money I spend on you, it won’t be a waste. Thank you, Shasha.”

“What’s in Sukhoilog?”

In the original history, 1,786 tons of gold were buried in Sukhoilog.

That’s 1,786,000 kg.

Experts estimated that 25% of Russia’s gold was here.

Moreover, the vein continued without breaking, so it was expected to exceed estimates.

Most importantly, it was an open-pit mine, making extraction easier.

“You’ll see. We’ll leave early tomorrow morning, so call all the section leaders now to pass on instructions.”

Soon, people gathered.

Nikolai instructed them to follow the chief supervisor’s orders while he was away.

“Focus on simple preparations and regaining normal physical strength for a month.”

He especially emphasized checking the residents’ hygiene.

The next day, they headed to the ‘Sukhoilog’ where milk and honey flowed.

* * *

Two days later, on October 7, 1998, at the Siberian loggers’ base in Sukhoilog.

This was a place filled with Russia’s dark elements.

People from all walks of life were suddenly given news.

“Only those who have not caused any trouble and are seven years away from release will be accepted. The working conditions will be better than here. Those who qualify, please stand to the left.”

Minimum working period of 15 years.

Since this place had been operational for just over seven years, only those who had served half their time were accepted.

The recent increase in timber production was a good opportunity to adjust production.

“Are you replanting where you cut down trees?”

“Of course. We select high-quality seeds and manage them consistently.”

The site manager reported with a tense expression.

As the grandson of President Zakhar and Gazprom’s CEO, the manager was naturally nervous.

Moreover, dozens of bodyguards were around, adding to the tension.

The manager’s term was 18 months, so he had managed to avoid any incidents so far.

“Have you selected the candidates?”

“Yes, about 45% of the total population.”

“That’s enough. I’ll give instructions in a few months, so make sure they have enough food and rest until then.”

“Understood.”

This marked the birth of Siberian gold miners.

* * *

Nikolai, Shasha, and the Alrosa vice president moved to the abandoned mine.

They looked down into the abandoned mine.

“It looks similar to the Alrosa mine.”

As Shasha said, the mine’s shape resembled the Alrosa diamond mine.

It spiraled down like a snail shell.

“Check all the areas within tens or even hundreds of kilometers around here.”

“Do we need such a large area?”

“How do we know where it will come from? The Alrosa site also hit a diamond vein while digging.”

“That’s true. Are you planning to build a city around the mine?”

“Yes. Bringing Alrosa’s strengths here will create an even more advanced city.”

He planned to handle everything related to gold, from production to refining, processing, and polishing, all in one place.

This would make it a city specialized in gold.

* * *

One month later, on November 20.

Thanks to a month of good food and rest, the residents had regained near-normal physical strength.

Their hair, which had been shaved, had grown back, and with daily baths and vitamins, they looked unrecognizable.

“Work starts today, right?”

“Yes.”

“It’s time to earn our keep. I was getting restless anyway.”

“It’s not hard work—just planting trees, watering them, and moving things.”

“Compared to what we did in North Korea, it’s nothing.”

“True. Honestly, I don’t want to go back. If this place is greened, we could build houses and live here. It would be nice to stay and live here...”

Others felt the same.

Returning to North Korea meant facing hunger again.

It was much better to settle here.

With their families together, they had no regrets about North Korea.

“We won’t send anyone back until we reach 50,000, and those 50,000 must stay for at least a year. Who knows what good things might happen? Let’s wait and see.”

While the North Korean residents worked with hope, Nikolai also worked with hope.

The Gazprom Irkutsk gas field.

The Alrosa Sukhoilog gold mine.

He put all his efforts into getting both sites up and running quickly.

As a result, by March 1999, four months later, they had established a foothold.

An additional 20,000 people entered the Gobi Desert.

They also went through a one-month adaptation period and were now on site.

So, 30,000 people were working simultaneously.

The seedlings were already of a certain size, so they would grow faster than young plants.

Moreover, they were selected for their ability to withstand the desert climate and grow quickly.

“Shasha, what do you think?”

“It’s amazing. With 30,000 people planting simultaneously, a few hills are quickly covered with trees. It’s really fast.”

“With continuous watering and fertilization, they’ll grow even healthier.”

The areas near the tent village were already covered with trees, and with 30,000 people moving, large hills turned green.

“Right. I got a call earlier.”

“What call?”

“It was from the Moscow headquarters. Journalists from the U.S. are coming.”

“Why are U.S. journalists coming here?”